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The Independent •

World Mental Health Day 2024: How to recognize the occasion

World Mental Health Day 2024 urges people to take stock and prioritize collective wellbeing.On October 10, the world will celebrate another pivotal World Mental Health Day. This year’s official theme, “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” highlights the importance of fostering supportive work environments. Gone are the days when work and mental health existed in separate bubbles. With burnout, anxiety, and job-related stress all on the rise, they’re intertwined more than eve...
The Independent •

Raw milk resurgence: What’s driving Americans to drink it?

Raw milk is making a comeback. From Marjorie Taylor Greene to holistic wellness influencers, several public figures are touting the purported benefits of raw milk – much to the dismay of government officials, who are warning the public to avoid raw milk products, especially in light of the recent discovery of the first strain of bird flu (H5N1) infecting cows in multiple states like Texas.This year, research found extraordinarily high concentrations of the H5N1 virus in the udders of infected co...
The Independent •

How to tell if your apple cider is safe to drink this fall

Experts have warned consumers to stay away from unpasteurized apple cider this fall.According to seasonal guidelines from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), juices like apple cider can pose a risk, particularly if they’re unpasteurized. If cider isn’t pasteurized – meaning it hasn’t been heated or treated with UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens – bacteria from the fresh apples can end up in your drink.Although most juice in the US is pasteurized – including the options you find at y...
The Independent •

‘Life is fragile and short’: Healthy mother’s shocking near-death experience

A Utah mother has issued a warning to other seemingly healthy women after suffering a heart attack on a treadmill. In May, Justine Carter’s casual treadmill workout resulted in a shocking near-death experience, with the 33-year-old experiencing a heart attack 12 minutes in. At first, she started having shortness of breath, then a pain in her back extended to her chest, and moments later she began violently vomiting. At the time, Carter assumed she had come down with some sort of flu, but things...
The Independent •

Researchers find TikTok fitness videos cause negative body image issues

A recent study has revealed that TikTok fitness videos may have myriad negative impacts on viewers.According to a recent study by Australia’s Flinders University researchers, “Fitspo” (fitness inspiration) content on TikTok may worsen body image issues. Defined as “images and videos that aim to inspire individuals to live an active and healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise,” Fitspo has academics concerned about impressionable young minds, particularly given TikTok’s huge teenage user base....
The Independent •

Gen-Z is willing to pay more for wedding gifts than older generations, study says

Gen-Z is willing to pay more for wedding gifts than older generations. According to a report from Empower, Gen Z-ers - born between 1997 and 2012 - admitted to spending an average of $275 on wedding gifts, unlike their baby boomers counterparts spending an average of $98 per gift. Millennials and Gen X reported an average of $238 and $149, respectively, with the overall average of guests saying they would spend $174.95 on gifts. The younger the person, the more likely they will spend more on wed...
The Independent •

12 cinnamon brands to avoid after high lead levels found in spice blends

A third of cinnamon powders and spice blends recently tested contained high levels of lead, a new study has found. According to a recent Consumer Reports investigation, researchers discovered high lead levels in several cinnamon products. Elevated lead levels were reportedly also present in some multispice products. With cinnamon being a kitchen staple, this discovery may affect the spice’s widespread use in desserts, like snickerdoodles, or savory dishes, like roasted chicken.The organization’s...
The Independent •

Digital dating is on the rise — but can you find the ‘one’ with AI?

In the age of ghosting, gaslighting, and general dating app fatigue, finding “the one” (or at least someone halfway decent) has become a Herculean task. As tech advancements continue to turn the dating scene on its head, it was only a matter of time before people began test-driving the latest frontier, AI, as a new love interest.The rise in AI dating comes on the heels of a 2023 survey reporting that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are open to the idea of exploring AI romantic companion...
The Independent •

Kelly Bishop candidly speaks about ‘very private abortion’

Kelly Bishop opened up about a very “private abortion” she had when she was younger. In an interview with People, the 80-year-old actor reflected on her stage and screen career, from her groundbreaking role in the 1975 Broadway musical A Chorus Line to her role as Emily Gilmore on the beloved drama Gilmore Girls. All of which she touched upon in her upcoming memoir, The Third Gilmore Girl, where she candidly recalled many of her most private experiences including her decision not to have childre...
The Independent •

Ms. Rachel reveals son Thomas is her ‘rainbow baby’ after suffering a miscarriage

Ms. Rachel reveals in a new song that her son Thomas was born after a miscarriage, calling him her “rainbow baby.”Below an Instagram video, children’s YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel - whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso - wrote in a heartfelt caption explaining the background behind her new song. “My rainbow baby is not a baby anymore but he’ll always be my rainbow baby,” she said. “So much love to anyone who understands.”“Rainbow baby” is defined as a baby who is born following a miscarriag...
The Independent •

Sleepmaxxing takes the pursuit of a good night’s sleep to the extreme

Sleep optimization - also known as “sleepmaxxing” on TikTok - has been steadily growing in popularity as people go to extreme lengths in the hope of a better night’s sleep.With the overall national sleep time increasing over the past two decades and the numbers climbing more over the past few years, according to an annual federal survey on the public’s use of time, Americans are more concerned with their sleep health than ever. And in this desire for more rest comes a burgeoning, relentless purs...
The Independent •

More couples are signing ‘relationship contracts’ while dating

“Relationship contracts” are gaining popularity among couples, say experts.With 46.8 million posts about “relationship contracts” on TikTok, the idea that people should create a relationship contract as a means to set clear boundaries and expectations has become popular with those on the dating scene. Whether it’s to create a sense of accountability or help prevent or minimize conflict in the long term, “relationship contracts” are meant to bring everybody on the same page.Experts define a relat...
The Independent •

More single people than ever are paying for dating apps

More single people than ever are paying for dating apps amid an increasingly contentious dating climate.The uptick in dating subscriptions comes on the heels of Match Group and Bumble — which make up the dating app industry by market share — having lost more than $40bn in market value since 2021, reports show. By incentivizing users, these companies hope to turn the tide on their dwindling revenue and repair their reputations amid the current atmosphere of disillusionment in the dating space.Pai...
The Independent •

Remi Bader responds to criticism over weight: ‘I will always be the same Remi’

Remi Bader has spoken out about the backlash she has faced during her weight loss journey. In a recent post shared on Instagram, the 29-year-old influencer candidly addressed the criticism she has received over her changing physique. Posting a series of clips of her modeling different outfits, from two-piece bikinis and tight dresses to a sultry hot pink lace outfit, Bader showed her range in weight over the years. In a voiceover, Bader encouraged supporters to be content with their bodies as th...
The Independent •

Melissa Gilbert reveals she was diagnosed with rare neurological disorder misophonia

Melissa Gilbert has revealed she was diagnosed with rare neurological disability, misophonia. In an interview with People, the 60-year-old Little House on The Prairie actor explained she was secretly struggling behind the scenes of the show, grappling with a condition she didn’t understand. When faced with everyday noises - including the sounds of chewing, hands clapping, and gum popping— her anger would be triggered. “If any of the kids chewed gum or ate or tapped their fingernails on the table...
The Independent •

Gwen Walz clarifies she went through IUI fertility journey rather than IVF

Gwen Walz has clarified that she went through an intrauterine insemination (IUI) fertility journey rather than in vitro fertilization (IVF) with her husband, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.In an interview with Glamour, Gwen came forward to clarify her husband’s comments on her difficult fertility journey. She said it took a long time for her to be able to talk about it, even to her close friends and family.“Our fertility journey was an incredibly personal and difficult experience,” she adm...
The Independent •

What is Neffy? FDA approves first nasal spray to treat severe allergies

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first nasal medicine to treat severe allergies. On 9 August, US health officials approved the first nasal spray to treat allergic reactions from drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc, an alternative to injectable allergy medications like EpiPen. The spray can only be administered to adults and children weighing at least 66 pounds.The epinephrine spray is one of several needle-free devices being developed to treat millions of Americans with s...
The Independent •

Nurse reveals why you shouldn’t set multiple alarms to wake up

A medical professional has revealed why people shouldn’t schedule multiple alarms to wake up. In a viral TikTok video, a nurse named Jordan Bruss advised people to stop scheduling multiple alarms to wake up, explaining the psychological and physical effects doing so has on the body. She noted that it could seriously disrupt your sleep cycle for the worse. “If you’re somebody who sets multiple alarms, I have bad news for you,” she started the video. “Don’t come for me. I’m just trying to help. Wa...
The Independent •

What is ‘cortisol face’?

Influencers on TikTok have been blaming a bloated, puffy face on “cortisol face.” In a recent TikTok video, wellness influencer Mandana Zhargami explained to viewers that they weren’t “ugly,” but that their faces were bloated from high levels of cortisol, a “stress hormone” known for regulating the body’s response to perceived threats, whether it’s actual danger or, in our modern era, pressures from the office. Cortisol typically regulates glucose, metabolism, and blood pressure. Zhargami’s horm...
The Independent •

New study links processed deli meat with higher risk for dementia

Research shows that eating processed deli meat may lead to a higher risk of dementia. In research presented at this week’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, scientists found those who regularly consume ultra-processed red meat – including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, salami, and bologna – may be at a greater risk of developing dementia later in life. Researchers define ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as products made with ingredients not found in a home kitchen, like soy protein isolat...
The Independent •

What is oil pulling? Experts warn against coconut oil oral health hack

TikTok users tout oil pulling as the latest oral health hack, but experts are skeptical of the benefits. In a viral video on TikTok, health influencer Ella Henry shared a dental hack with viewers in which she stuffed her mouth with a spoonful of coconut oil and swished it around her teeth for 10 minutes. As she swished the liquid around her mouth, the liquid was pushed and pulled between the teeth, hence the hack’s namesake. Once she finished swishing, she spit the oil into the trash. For two to...
The Independent •

What is ‘rejection therapy’? New TikTok trend pushes people to combat social anxiety

TikTok’s latest mental health trend, called “rejection therapy,” is offering one way to combat social anxiety. With the “rejection therapy” tag garnering more than 63 million views on TikTok, many people have increasingly documented their trials and tribulations as they place themselves in scenarios where they could be socially rejected. From giving a stranger their number to asking someone to buy them food, users are embracing discomfort as a way to overcome their fears and build their confiden...
The Independent •

Money can really buy you happiness, especially if you’re a billionaire

A new study shows that money can buy happiness, contradicting years of the upper-class claiming the opposite. Recent findings published by Wharton School happiness researcher Matthew Killingsworth indicate that millionaires and billionaires are happier than those earning up to $500,000 a year. The research directly contradicts the hedonic treadmill theory, which suggests that no matter how much wealth you obtain, people adjust to normal levels of happiness and the the joys money can buy aren’t a...
The Independent •

TikTok star Bella Brave, 10, dies from rare health issues

TikTok star Bella Brave has died from a combination of rare health issues. In a post shared on Instagram, the 10-year-old social media personality’s mother, Kyla, confirmed her daughter’s death on 15 July, a week after she had been placed in a medically induced coma. Kyla frequently posted videos of her and her daughter doing everything from going to Disneyland to messing around with makeup. According to Canadian radio station CJME, Bella was born with three rare medical conditions including dwa...
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