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  1. How do I stay healthy in my 70s?

    Today’s septuagenarians are different from the ones who came before, becoming grandparents and retiring later Today’s septuagenarians are different from the ones who came before. “Many transitions that are happening now at 70 are the types of transitions people in previous generations might have experienced in their early 60s,” says Jeffrey Stokes, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston who studies ageing. People in this group are becoming grandparents and retiring later, Stokes explains. They can also expect to live longer. Continue reading...

    What causes a widowmaker heart attack?

    Heart attacks remain the leading cause of death among American men and women. If you have a heart attack, your best hope is always immediate treatment. Not all heart attacks are equal, though. There are three coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood-rich oxygen. A heart attack happens when the blood flow is reduced, usually by a blockage in one of these three arteries. The left anterior descending coronary artery, or LAD, is the largest artery supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When it is blocked, the consequences are often fatal if not treated immediately, which is where the widowmaker heart attack gets its name. Regardless of the artery, a blockage is serious business, and all heart attacks must be treated quickly to prevent the heart muscle from damage. Dr. Nitesh Ainani, a cardiologist at Tidelands Health Cardiology, says these symptoms should trigger a call to 911, without...

    A 55-year-old longevity doctor says he's healthier than he was 20 years ago. Here is his biggest tip for living longer.

    Dr. Shai Efrati's biggest tip for living longer is to not retire. Uproar by Moburst for Aviv Clinics/Getty Dr. Shai Efrati, 55, says he is healthier than he was 20 years ago. His biggest tip to patients who want to live longer is to not retire. Other experts agree that retiring can be detrimental to longevity. A longevity doctor shared his biggest tip for extending your life — don't retire. Dr. Shai Efrati, a physician and a professor in medicine and neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, has been documenting his health for the last 20 years, including MRI scanning his brain and testing his cognition and physical performance. He told Business Insider his health markers are better now than they were when he was in his 30s. As the founder of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in Florida, Efrati partially attributes his health to the treatment where patients breathe in pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been linked to reversing some of the biomarkers of aging, but isn't approved for this use by the Food and Drug Administration. However, in his work with patients who want to age healthily, Efrati's biggest tip is to keep working for as long as possible. Work can give us a sense of purpose "The most important thing is to have a future," Efrati said. He said being needed by others can be one way to find purpose. "Of course, if you are working in construction or something physically challenging, then stop. But if not, then don't ever retire," he said. "If you are quitting one type of work, find another one. Fight for a purpose, be need-able for something." Efrati gave the example of a 90-something patient who was still working in real estate and thinking about how to build on Mars. Efrati believes the man's attitude and sense of purpose made him a better candidate for longevity-boosting medical care than a 40-year-old who had retired with the sole intention of relaxing. Continuing to work into your later years could help you live longer. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images A 2019 study found that of the 6,985 participants aged between 51 and 61, those who had a stronger purpose in life were less likely to die in the 16 to 18-year follow-up period. The authors said it's possible that a sense of purpose contributes to our wellbeing, which has been associated with lower levels of inflammation. Staying occupied is linked to living longer Karen Glaser, a professor of gerontology at Kings College London and lead researcher on the WHERL study into work, health, and life expectancy, previously told BI that staying in a job that isn't too stressful or physically demanding could protect our cognitive abilities. Whereas retiring can deprive us of social connections, which are linked to longevity, she said. A 2023 study published in BMC Medicine found that people aged between 37 and 73 who were socially isolated had a 77% higher risk of dying of any cause. Ben Meyers and Fabrizio Villatoro, researchers at LongeviQuest, an organization that validates the ages of the world's oldest people, previously told BI that working hard for as long as possible was a common trait among the over 1,000 supercentenarians that they had met. And Heidi Tissenbaum, a professor in biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School who researches healthy lifespans, said that keeping both the body and brain busy is essential for living a long, healthy life. The same benefits can be gotten from volunteering or taking up hobbies, Glaser said — staying occupied is the key, rather than employment itself. Read the original article on Business Insider

    6 psychological tricks to be more likable in a job interview

    We Are/Getty Images How likable you are in a job interview often greatly determines your success in landing the role. It can be hard to feel authentic and optimistic when you're stressed about the interview itself. Soft skills like matching the interviewer's energy or being appropriately vulnerable can help. Being well-liked doesn't just help you move up at work. It can also be a deciding factor in getting tahe job in the first place. Employers are often more likely to choose someone they click with in a job interview, even if that person is a little less experienced or skilled than another candidate, according to Dr. Sharon Grossman, a counselor and executive coach specializing in workplace stress reduction. "It's an invitation to just be yourself," she said. The more authentic you are, the more likely you are to hit it off with the interviewer — or spot red flags if you're incompatible with them. That's easier said than done when you're stressed about answering questions correctly, but all you need are a few soft skills to "ease into a conversation" with the interviewer and come out on top, Grossman said. Visualize nailing the interview Research suggests that visualizing an outcome can help you make decisions to bring you closer to your goal. To feel more relaxed and enthusiastic in an interview, it helps to visualize the process "down to the minute details," Dr. Zachary Ginder, a psychologist specializing in occupational stress reduction, told BI. He recommends finding time before the interview to close your eyes and picture yourself at every stage: the handshake, how you sit down, how you articulate each point, and how you express yourself when you're stuck. If you've already done your research on the company and role, this mental rehearsal is an extra bit of prep to help your personality shine through. Turn nerves into excitement Feeling antsy before an interview doesn't have to be a liability. "A certain amount of stress, up to a point of course, is actually beneficial for peak performance," Ginder said. You can turn your stress into an advantage by reframing it as motivation. Instead of trying to conceal how nervous you are, "you can show that you're excited, and that's really contagious," Grossman said. Being energetic and open about wanting the role signals passion to the interviewer. Ultimately, it can make you more memorable than a candidate who was tougher to read or seemed too nonchalant. Add a positive spin Most interviews involve at least one tough question, such as why you're leaving your current role. Being too negative or badmouthing your employer can backfire. Grossman suggested giving a generic answer, like "There was a conflict that I felt couldn't be resolved." Then, shift the focus to the interviewer. You can say the experience taught you the value of good company culture and then ask the interviewer what they like about their company's culture. You can use the same technique for any questions you're worried about answering. "It's always about pivoting and reframing to cast yourself in a positive light — while still being truthful, of course," Ginder said. Match your interviewer where you can While you don't want to be insincere in an interview, it helps to emphasize your similarities with the interviewer — and their vision of the ideal candidate. If the interviewer is high-energy, it can help to "play up on that" if you're also a naturally bubbly person, Grossman said. Research the company culture and make sure your answers match the mission statement. If collaboration is an integral part of the culture, you want to share stories that show you're a team player, instead of ones highlighting your independence, Ginder said. You should only do this if you genuinely like and relate to the culture. Otherwise, you not only risk coming off as fake, you might also land in a role that doesn't fit you. Tap into vulnerability While your instinct might be to look perfect in interviews, a little vulnerability can go a long way. If you fumble an answer, be honest, Grossman said. You can say something like "I'm sorry, can I start over? I was really nervous and what I just said doesn't truly represent what I want to say." Then take a beat to collect yourself and begin again. Course-correcting in the interview can play as authentic and also demonstrate that you take ownership, she said. Plus, if the interviewer won't let you try again, it's a sign that you probably don't want to work there. Interview them back Grossman said you should always treat job interviews as a two-way process: you're also interviewing them as a fit. Ask detailed questions and be on the lookout for incompatibilities. Even if it's your dream job, carry yourself with the knowledge that you have options. Otherwise, desperation can negatively color your answers or make you too nervous to be yourself. "You have to say to yourself: 'I need a job and this job will be amazing. If I don't get this job, I'll find something else,'" Grossman said. Read the original article on Business Insider

    RFK Jr. shuts Americans out of health decisions despite vow for transparency

    Federal health policies and decisions are quickly becoming less transparent under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—despite him telling Health Department employees just last month that he would work with them to "launch a new era of radical transparency." Since then, Kennedy has axed a public meeting on vaccines—leaving lingering questions about the future of those transparent proceedings. He has also revoked a broad transparency policy for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that required public notice for certain new rules and a comment period to allow for the public to be involved with the rulemaking process. Revoking the policy could have sweeping effects. For instance, HHS could now change Medicaid requirements with no notice or change federal research grants without input from the research community—something the Trump administration has already tried to do before it was put on hold by a federal judge. Rolling back public participation On Monday, Kennedy published the new policy in the Federal Register, which specifically revoked a transparency rule adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1971. The rule—called the Richardson Waiver, after then-health secretary Elliot Richardson—required HHS to have public notice-and-comment periods for proposed rules and policies regarding certain matters, namely public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. These five categories would otherwise have been exempt from public notice-and-comment requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The APA also says that public notice-and-comment periods can be waived for "good cause." Read full article Comments

    I haven't eaten eggs in 10 years. Here are my favorite egg substitutes and how to use them.

    My favorite egg substitutes are ground flaxseed, tofu, commercial egg replacer, bananas, and chickpea flour. Juliana Guarracino Bird flu outbreaks have caused egg prices to skyrocket in recent months. I recommend bananas, chickpea flour, commercial egg replacer, tofu, and ground flaxseed as egg substitutes. Bananas, egg replacer, and ground flaxseed are better for baking while tofu and chickpea flour work best in savory egg dishes. Recent bird flu outbreaks have made eggs difficult to find and expensive to buy, and it may be awhile before egg prices drop. To save money, some people are cutting back on buying eggs and turning to more budget-friendly substitutions. Since becoming vegan about 10 years ago, I've experimented with a variety of egg alternatives in cooking and baking. Here are my favorite egg substitutes and how best to use them. Bananas are great for pancakes and baked goods Bananas are great for making naturally sweetened pancakes packed with some extra vitamins. Juliana Guarracino I use bananas in place of eggs when I make pancakes or desserts, like cakes and muffins. I use half a banana or about one-quarter cup mashed to replace each egg. Bananas will sweeten any recipe and thicken the mixture, but chunks can also show up in the batter and make the final product taste like banana. I like this for a lot of recipes, but it is worth adjusting other ingredients to get the ideal consistency and flavor. While bananas will add sugar to any recipe, they also contain plenty of fiber and nutrients like potassium and vitamin B. If bananas are already on the grocery list, this substitute can be an easy and affordable swap. Chickpea flour works for omelettes and egg bites Chickpea flour mixed with water can make a batter perfect for an egg-free frittata. Juliana Guarracino Chickpea flour, a common ingredient in South Asian and Mediterranean cuisines and a popular gluten-free alternative to wheat flour, can replace eggs in omelettes, frittatas, and egg bites. It's high in protein, with 20 grams per cup — the equivalent of about three eggs. For an egg-free omelette, I mix the flour and water together in a one-to-one ratio, adding salt and spices to my liking. Then, I let the batter cook on a nonstick pan until it resembles a crepe. For egg bites or frittatas, I use the same batter as the omelette with extra water as needed and bake it in a tin. My 16 ounce bag of chickpea flour cost four dollars, which is cheaper than a carton of a dozen eggs in many grocery stores right now. Commercial egg replacer is the easiest substitute for baked goods Commercial egg replacer makes for soft and delicious cookies. Juliana Guarracino Commercial egg replacer is my preferred substitute when baking a new recipe and avoiding experimentation. The egg replacer does a great job of preserving the original taste and texture of recipes without needing to adjust other ingredients. I often use Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer, which can make 34 "eggs." One tablespoon of egg replacer mixed with two tablespoons of water equals one egg. The egg replacer has more sodium and carbohydrates than eggs and doesn't contain any protein, but my 16 ounce bag costs six dollars and it lasts me for months. Firm and silken tofu are high-protein egg alternatives Tofu scramble is a high protein breakfast similar to scrambled eggs. Juliana Guarracino Tofu, commonly used in East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines, has been a staple for me since becoming a vegan, especially since it is high in protein. One of my favorite breakfast dishes is plant-based scrambled eggs with crumbled-up firm tofu. While the taste isn't exactly the same, the texture is close to that of scrambled eggs, and with spices like turmeric and garlic powder, it's a satisfying breakfast. Silken tofu, which is softer and creamier, can also replace eggs as an ingredient in decadent desserts like brownies, cakes, and pies. Its mild taste doesn't drastically change the flavor of the final product, and its smooth texture makes for a rich batter. To replace one egg, use one-quarter cup of silken tofu. A 16 ounce package of firm or silken tofu is often cheaper than a carton of eggs. Ground flaxseed is my go-to for baking A "flax egg" is great for quick breads where it is easily incorporated into the batter. Juliana Guarracino Ground flaxseed is my preferred egg substitute when baking since it's versatile and packed with fiber. To make a "flax egg," mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for five minutes to thicken before adding it to any batter. A flax egg can be used for nearly all baking recipes, though in lighter desserts, like cookies, the seeds may sometimes be visible in the batter. Otherwise, flax eggs often preserve the texture and taste of recipes and add a delicious nutty flavor. A 14-oz bag of ground flaxseed can easily produce over 40 "eggs." Read the original article on Business Insider

    Spring Break Staycation

    This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowling Green chapter. How to have a fun spring break without the beach! When most people think about spring break, they picture the beach, a nice tan, and lots of sun, but what if you are not traveling anywhere for spring break? There are a lot of ways you can enjoy a week off from school in your own home! Spending a week away from school is a great time to restart, refresh, and relax into some of your favorite things. Here is a list of things you can do in your hometown! Try out a new (or old) restaurant, coffee shop, or cozy spot in your hometown that you’ve been missing while at college. I know that while I’m at college, I am thinking about one specific coffee shop in my hometown that was my go-to in high school. Try out a new order or get your old favorite! This is a fun way to get out of the house. Bonus points if you take a friend along for a silly adventure! Clean out your closet. I know this may seem like a boring way to spend the afternoon, but cleaning out your closet can be a great way to get rid of all the things you don’t want anymore and allows you to get a fresh start on that Spring wardrobe. Clean out the winter clothes you don’t wear anymore. It is also fun to give yourself a mini fashion show in your room with clothes you haven’t worn in forever. You can also take the items you do not want any more to a secondhand store or donate them! Get on Pinterest and find a fun craft to do! One of my favorite things to do when I’m at home is get out my old painting supplies, find some Pinterest inspo, and get to crafting. I do not have time when I am at college to do this, so this is the perfect time to sit down and release some stress with a craft! You can try something you’ve never tried before, like crocheting or sticking to a fan favorite. You get to choose. Be creative!  Have a relaxing day at home. When I have a few days off, I like to refresh with some self-care time. Get out a candle, take a long bath (because you SHOULD NOT take one in the dorm bathrooms), put on a face mask, do a hair oil treatment, paint your toenails a fun Spring color, or paint your nails! There are a lot of small things you can do to boost your mood and have some YOU time. Make a day out of it!  There are a lot of things you can do while on break at home. It is a great time to spend with your family, friends who go to other colleges, your pets, and yourself! A spring break at home can be just as fun and relaxing as the beach (minus the sand and sunburns). Find things you enjoy and have a great spring break staycation! The post Spring Break Staycation first appeared on Her Campus.

    The Female Athlete: More Than a Body

    This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowling Green chapter. It wasn’t until the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, that women were allowed to compete at the Olympic level. Since then, women have made leaps and bounds in the world of athletics. However, over a century later, female athletes still face the same stigmas they once had. Too big. Too lean. Too manly. Too strong. Too weak. Too muscular. Too thin. Too much. And still not enough. It seems that, no matter what a woman does with her body, no matter how impressive, she does not belong in sport. The underlying message fueled to girls from the time they are in elementary school is clear: women cannot be as competitive or aggressive as men, they will never be as “good as the guys”, and sports are simply not for them. But that couldn’t be more wrong. The narrative that women are unmade for sports results in a system that does not provide young girls with the opportunities and access to fundamental equipment to enhance their enjoyment and progress in sports. Thus, many girls spend their lives believing they are just “too unathletic” for physical activity. Not only does this deter women from competing in sports during their school days, but it keeps them from practicing healthy exercise habits for the rest of their lives. Times are changing, though, for women in sports. Athletes like Simone Biles (gymnastics), Ilona Maher (rugby), Caitlyn Clark (basketball), and many more are switching the narrative. In the year of 2024, Viewership of the women’s basketball championship game was up 90% compared with 2023 viewership. In that same year, Maher starred on the cover of Sports Illustrated following the Paris Olympics. After taking a mental health break from competing, Biles returned to the Olympic stage, securing three gold and one silver medal, named Sports Illustrated Person of the Year. And these are only a few examples of female athletes who are inspiring girls all around the world to be strong and competitive despite patriarchal standards that set women up to be weak and submissive. Inspired by the leading female athletes of 2024, I took to interviewing a handful of BGSU’s female athletes. Ranging from swimmers and basketball players to powerlifters and dancers, here’s what our girls have to say about their experiences navigating female sports: 1. Reagan Campbell: Track and Field “Sports helped me to realize my body is strong, and I am successful, so I shouldn’t change a thing about myself.” Reagan Campbell, 2025 In the year 2021, she earned the title of Ohio State Champion in the women’s 400-meter dash. Now a 19-year-old sophomore track athlete and physical education major at BGSU, Reagan Campbell is making new personal bests meet after meet. Inspired by fellow long-limbed sprinter Gabby Thomas, this girl is unafraid to leave it all on the track, proving that she is here and here to stay. With ten years of experience playing soccer and a history of greatness on the track, Reagan is passionate about her future career in the world of athletics. When asked if her background in sports had any influence on her decision to pursue a bachelor’s in physical education, she stated: “Yes! I chose this major so that I would have an opportunity to influence younger students on the importance of physical activity in their lives while also hoping to spark [their] interests in different sports because that is where a lot of my confidence was rooted as a child.” Since I grew up alongside this girl, I had the privilege to see that confidence expand over the years. Coming from a small town in Licking County, Ohio, Reagan served as an inspiration (and at times, a rival) to so many girls; We would see her– her determination, her speed, her talent– and think that’s what an athlete is. Although highly skilled at what she does, Reagan hasn’t always respected her body the way she does now, as a college athlete. Growing up, she sometimes felt that she wasn’t as “womanly” as other girls because of her athletic body type. There were times when she felt insecure in the weight room because she wasn’t as strong or “built” as the other girls. Even still, she sometimes struggles with the idea that she is “supposed” to be skinny and muscular because building muscle has never been the easiest for her. Despite her struggles, Reagan is proud of her body (as she should be). When asked how she would describe the way she views her body today, she stated, “I appreciate the fact that it has brought me this far in my athletic career and that if I wasn’t made or built the way that I am, I wouldn’t be as successful in my sport.” On top of that, she has been able to recognize that participating in sports is what helped her realize just how strong and capable she is. Reagan is a prime example of just how important it is to encourage young girls to participate in sports, as participating in soccer and track & field has helped her to recognize her capability to do hard things. On top of that, society’s expectations of how a female athlete should look can be harsh and unrealistic, but Reagan understands that what she looks like isn’t a concern when she’s making history on the track. 2. Laila harrison: Basketball “[Female athletes] are living up to their own standards and are not concerned about the beauty standards.” Laila Harrison, 2025 Laila Harrison, a BGSU freshman basketball player from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been in the sport since 2012, participating also in volleyball, lacrosse, and track and field throughout her teenage years. In high school, her basketball team went on to win the state championship, and she earned the title of second-team all-district and a state honorable mention. Laila is currently majoring in finance at BGSU. Sports have been a great source of empowerment for Laila when it comes to the way she views her body and its capabilities. When asked if sports have ever damaged her body image, she stated clearly, “Never” and went on to explain “[sports] helped me maintain the image I want and helped [me] realize that some of the stuff I didn’t like before about my body, those features helped elevate me in my sport“. Despite that female athletes have been openly ostracized for not fitting the beauty standards set by the patriarchy, whether that is for being too tall, too muscular, too big, or too small, the evolving narrative surrounding women in sports has allowed for athletes like Laila to appreciate all that their bodies do for them. Not only should girls be encouraged to participate in sports, but they should feel proud of doing so. Our bodies, regardless of shape or size, are capable of so much more than what society tells us. In a world that limits the female body to what it looks like rather than what it can do, athletes like Laila are proof that we do not have to be subjected to unrealistic standards set for women. There were times growing up when Laila felt insecure about being taller or skinnier than other girls. However, as a college athlete, she has been able to recognize that the way she is built helps her to achieve greatness in her sport. This further goes to show just how important it is to advocate for female participation in athletics; the world of sport, although heavily gendered, can uplift women to feel strong and confident in their bodies. When asked who inspires her, Laila mentioned athletes Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, and Serena Williams, explaining that she looks up to them for their love of sport despite the challenges they’ve faced in participating. These women, like Laila, understand that the world of athletics isn’t always catered towards women, and still, they play. 3. Abbey Muhleman: bodybuilding “In the gym, I dress how I feel comfortable, and I’ve never cared what others thought about it.” Abbey Muhleman, 2025 Graduate student pursuing her masters in Biological Sciences, Abbey Muhleman is no stranger when it comes to the weightroom. I met Abbey in the fall of 2024, intimidated by her muscular physique and exuding confidence. This girl knows where she belongs in the gym, but she hasn’t always felt that way. There were times when Abbey felt too skinny or weak in athletic settings. During her adolescence, she described her body image as poor, because she frequently compared her body to other girls, especially during the years that she ran track (2014-2016). She noted that her body image has since improved, though she still struggles with it occasionally. Lifting has proved to be a healthy outlet for Abbey to grow physically. She stated that “lifting in college, it’s helped my body image a lot with the weight I’ve put on, I feel more ‘normal’ sized and healthy.” Not only that, but the sport has made her proud of the physique she has built, growing her confidence. Despite knowing that the standards set for female lifters on social media can be unrealistic, Abbey has a beautifully balanced take on her body: proud but never satisfied. She always wants to build a better, stronger version of herself, and she’s willing to put in the work to do so. Seeing girls like Abbey in the gym will never fail to warm my heart. I was hesitant to first approach her, and my only regret is not having done so sooner. This girl is a firecracker, passionate about a woman’s right to take up space in the weight room. She is a firm believer in supporting other girls, and it’s no surprise that she takes time during her workouts to support other females in the room. It is so important to uplift other female lifters, beginners or experts because we are constantly treated as though we don’t belong in the same space as men. But Abbey is proof that we do belong, and we aren’t going anywhere any time soon. 4. Vanessa Hernandez: Swimming, Dance “[Sports] helped me understand that anyone can be good at anything no matter their outward appearance” Vanessa Hernandez, 2025 Vanessa Hernandez, a senior Exercise Science major at BGSU, has spent the last 16 years competing in numerous sports. From being a competitive dancer and gymnast to an active member of the BGSU club swim team, Vanessa is passionate about physical activity and challenging herself to be the best version of herself. She grew up in a very active family, participating in triathlons with her father growing up, and has always felt she belongs in athletic settings. However, Vanessa, like most female athletes, has struggled with her self-image regardless of her achievements in sports. She recalls being urged to change the way she looks for her sport, especially when it comes to ballet. She stated that these comments hurt because they come from “people who should support you no matter what and not make those comments because it truly does not matter [what you look like]”. As a senior in college now, Vanessa understands that her body is capable of so much but noted the difficulties of navigating the world of physical fitness after leaving high school. She is active in the gym, dance studio, and the pool, but with her busy academic schedule, she’s found it difficult to remain disciplined now that she isn’t constantly competing in different sports. Working with different athletes, including shadowing a sports PT, has proved frustrating for Vanessa at times. She stated, “It definitely has been hard on my mental health lately being around college athletes who still have their days structured around set practice times and taking care of themselves.” In hearing this, I came to realize that leaving one’s competitive sport is a side of athletics that we don’t talk about enough. Learning how to stay active whilst giving yourself the time to build a career and be successful in school is difficult, especially when you no longer have a team of coaches helping you do it. But Vanessa’s story has shown me that it is possible. She knows to give herself grace, as she is at a pivotal point in her academic career. This girl is doing great things that I know will pay off in the future, and I can’t wait to see just how far she goes. Inspired by athletes like Ilona Maher, Simone Biles, and Jordyn Wieber, Vanessa is noticing that the standard around women’s bodies in sports is changing, stating that, these days, “more people appreciate strong, athletic women”. Wise beyond her years and an advocate for young girls in sports, it is obvious that she will continue to approach the narrative in this light, inspiring young girls (and me!) to embrace physical activity, even with its flaws. 5. Emma albright: Dance “I work on thinking less about my looks and more about how I get to be a strong woman now!” Emma Albright, 2025 20-year-old Emma Albright is a returning sophomore at BGSU this year. She has been dancing for almost her entire life, coupled with playing volleyball during her time in middle school, and was co-captain of her competitive dance team during her sophomore and senior years of high school. Emma is currently part of the BGSU University Dance Alliance (UDA), performing in seasonal concerts throughout the school year. Growing up in the world of dance, Emma is no stranger to the unforgiving beauty standards placed upon female athletes. In her interview, she detailed the irony of being called “too tall” while also being praised for her long legs, proving to be a source of both insecurity and empowerment for her growing up. When asked how she views her body as a current college student, Emma stated, “I am much more accepting of my body now, even though I have gone through significant changes since being in high school…It was very hard to cope with how my body changed after I stopped being a competitive dancer who worked out every day at practice, but I am still dancing, and I feel like it helps me to know I don’t need that body to dance.” She went on to explain how proud she is of her body, knowing that no matter how thin dancers are “supposed” to be, she knows the power she holds, the strength that she’s built over years of competition and casual dancing that many female dancers are not accredited for. There is something to be said about the unrecognized athletic ability of dancers. Upon asking Emma if she’d be interested in being interviewed for this article, she stated that she was “trying to think of someone more athletic” for the process. Sports like dance, which have a heavy focus on visual aesthetics (and deemed “feminine”), are often dismissed by the sports community as something less rigorous or intensive. However, athletes like Emma are proof of the mental and physical toughness it takes to dance; to those who believe otherwise, we’d like to see you try. 6. Maya Bautista: Powerlifting “Powerlifting has taught me how beautiful having mass on your body is and how much work is put into building that mass.” Maya Bautista, 2025 With a past in gymnastics, track, and diving to competing in powerlifting at her current age, 18-year-old Maya Bautista is as well-rounded as athletes come. In fact, when I first met Maya, I was struck by her multifaceted history in sports. This BGSU freshman is open to adventure wherever she goes, passionate about testing her body’s strength, skill, and determination. In fact, she is majoring in Exercise Science because she fell in love with learning how the body works, fascinated by its repair mechanisms upon injury. Maya has always known that she is a powerhouse. Growing up, she appreciated her more muscular build because it made her naturally good at sports. However, this wasn’t always the case. When asked how she viewed her body during adolescence, Maya stated, “There would be a few times where I wished I could take the muscle off my body and be petite like the other girls in my grade when I couldn’t fit into any jeans or couldn’t wear the smallest size…” Despite this, she learned how wonderful being a girl with muscles can be, especially once she began powerlifting. As a college student, Maya can confidently say that she is proud of the physique she’s built. She explained to me that though she is not as “toned” or small as she was when she was competing in multiple sports during her days in high school, she has developed an understanding of the hard work that goes into building mass and no longer wants to make her legs smaller to fit the beauty standards. Sports have taught Maya that her body is worth treating properly, whether that be with the foods she eats, the work she does, or the way she talks about herself. She is proud of her body and all of the work she has done to look and perform the way she does. Maya also took note of the fact that athletic female bodies are becoming more normalized in our society. “I want to grow bigger and bigger instead“, Maya reflected on how she views her body now. Her perspective on sports provides me with so much hope and excitement for future athletes; girls are learning that taking up space is a good thing, and that is exactly what we should be teaching them. It has been a pleasure to be able to learn about and share the experiences of these athletes. Stories like theirs are pivotal to providing young girls with the confidence to participate in sports despite the challenges that arise in doing so. Coming in all shapes and sizes, female athletes are done being defined by beauty standards thrust upon them by a society once dependent on casting them aside. The strength of the female athlete comes not only in her performance on the court, the track, or the stage but in the sheer willpower of her mind. Because it is not what our bodies look like that makes us powerful, it is what they can do. The post The Female Athlete: More Than a Body first appeared on Her Campus.

    My Tips On How to Avoid Burnout In College

    This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter. Being a college student comes with two aspects: the college part and the student part. What I mean by this is that “college” is a word that has become so glamorized. When outsiders think of college, they think of laughing with a big group of friends on the lawn, having all the freedom in the world and minimal responsibilities. But then, there’s the student part, which means managing your time between schoolwork, socializing, and clubs, endless hours spent cramming in the library, and not wanting to get up for your early classes. As a college student, you have so many responsibilities that you might start to experience what is called “burnout.”  Since high school, I’ve been all too familiar with burnout, and you might be as well. However, suppose this is a new term for you. In that case, the Cambridge Dictionary describes the phenomenon as “extreme tiredness or mental or physical illness caused by working too hard or trying to do too much.” For some people, college is their first time experiencing burnout. It can be overwhelming, and feel like the end of the world a lot of the time. But speaking from experience, there are so many ways to avoid burnout, and in this article, I’m going to give you my tips to do so! Make to-do lists For the longest time, I did not keep an agenda of any sort and simply relied on my Google Classroom or Canvas to-do lists. This led me to fall behind or lose track of things, and I was always insanely overwhelmed. Once I began writing down everything that I needed to do in a notebook with checkboxes next to each item, I felt way more at ease. Having a physical list gave me a sense of control and closure — once something was written down, my brain could let go of the pressure to remember it all. Anything can work for this! Whether you use a physical notebook or agenda, finding a way to externalize your tasks will help clear your mental clutter, keep you organized, and make even the busiest days feel more manageable. Set goals for yourself I used to aim to cram everything I needed to do into a day, which made me so stressed all the time. That was because, in the back of my mind, I constantly had worries that I wouldn’t be able to do it all. The key to this is something I learned in health class during my first semester: SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Relevant, and Time-Bound). For example, instead of saying, “I need to study more,” you can set a SMART goal like this: “I will review my lecture notes for 30 minutes every weekday at 5 PM and complete at least one practice problem set for my math class by Friday.” This goal is specific (reviewing notes and completing practice problems), measurable (30 minutes per day, one problem set per week), accurate (realistic based on your schedule), relevant (helps with academic success), and time-bound (has a clear deadline). Setting these goals will ease your mind, because it will give you even more of a sense of control, helping you break your tasks up into smaller increments. spend time with your friends This can be a more difficult thing to do when you are so busy, but it’s one of the most important. It’s easier than you think it is — I’ve found that my worst days in college have been the days that I don’t interact with any of my friends. My best days are the ones in which I spend at least 30 minutes with my friends. (This timeframe is usually much more for me, but on my busy days, it’s very limited!) This allocated time can be as simple as a lunch get-together or even a phone call with someone you care about. ​​Scientific research backs this up — a study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that students experienced greater happiness and feelings of belonging on days when they interacted with more classmates than usual. This suggests that even brief social interactions can positively impact well-being! work out Working out might seem like an “easier said than done” situation, but it really isn’t! Working out can look different for everyone. As someone who goes to the gym consistently, my routine is obviously much more intense than that of someone who goes occasionally, or not at all. However, it has been well-proven that even a 30-minute walk can boost serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a big role in all of your feel-good emotions. Working out doesn’t have to be daunting — in fact, it shouldn’t be! You shouldn’t be overworking yourself. Take at least 30 minutes out of your day to engage in physical activity that feels good for you. Once you’re finished, you’ll feel better about yourself, and more productive than ever! Eat full meals Students often underestimate the impact of eating full, nutrient-dense meals. Instead, I’ve seen many of my peers opt for an energy drink or coffee for breakfast (or nothing at all!) and then go for unhealthy foods for lunch and dinner. Lack of nutrients might be a big factor as to why you might not feel as motivated to do everything you need to do. For the longest time, I would just have a small granola bar with some form of caffeine for breakfast, but that would only keep me full for about two hours. After that, I’d be tired, lightheaded, and moody. When I started eating three full meals a day, with every component (carbs, protein, fats, etc.), I felt so much more energized. I began to want to do work. I wasn’t constantly distracted or debating whether I should grab a snack before starting an assignment. Taking the time to eat real meals made my days feel smoother and more productive. Food is about fueling everything you do. Get enough sleep Another thing students typically underestimate is the benefits of a good night’s sleep. It’s common knowledge that eight to nine hours of sleep a night is satisfactory, but for some reason, most people don’t adhere to that, especially college students. This is your sign to start taking sleeping seriously. That means beginning to wind down an hour before bed — no electronics, no food, no caffeine. Just relaxation. The days that I am the groggiest and the most stressed are the days that I get less sleep than I should, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. My motivation drops, I struggle to focus, and everything just feels harder than it needs to be. On the other hand, when I make sleep a priority, I wake up feeling more in control of my day. It’s easier to stay productive, manage stress, and actually enjoy what I’m doing. Take time for yourself All of these tips to reduce burnout, but what does it all come down to? You. You are in control of everything you do, so it’s important to take time for yourself and reset your mind. Whether this is a quick nap or a brain-stimulating activity like coloring, journaling, or meditation, you need to find time away from all of your stressors. Every weekend, I have a self-care night where I put on my favorite music, take an “everything shower,” put on a face mask, do my nails, and simply enjoy my alone time. This works for me because it’s almost like a ‘reboot’ button so that I can begin the upcoming week. Your time to yourself doesn’t have to be this elaborate; find something that works for you! It’s easy to get burnt out, especially at such a turbulent transition phase like college, but it’s actually even easier to avoid it. If you’re suffering from burnout right now, this list might have felt a little bit overwhelming to read, but all of these methods have one thing in common: They’re all about time management. Burnout is something almost every college student will experience at some point, but it doesn’t have to define your time in school. By prioritizing time management, self-care, and balance, you can prevent burnout before it takes over. Allocating time to each of these things every day will help ease your mind, and eventually make your everyday tasks a lot simpler. Sometimes, you just need to take a step back and reevaluate to get back into the swing of things. But from my experience with more severe burnout cases, taking these measures has helped me feel much more fulfilled. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. Pick one or two of these tips to implement in your routine, and build from there. Finding what works for you is key, and no one’s approach to managing stress will look exactly the same. The important thing is that you listen to yourself; your mind and body will always tell you when they need a break. College is a time of growth and discovery, and learning how to take care of yourself now will benefit you long after you graduate! The post My Tips On How to Avoid Burnout In College first appeared on Her Campus.

    Truth Telling — Introducing Ash Wednesday

    Ash Wednesday is one of my favourite times of the liturgical year. Sure, Christmas is fun; and Christianity is anchored in the Easter Festival. We enjoy communion with Christ through the gift of the Holy Spirit celebrated at Pentecost. But despite the richness of all these great festivals, I still find Ash Wednesday profound and specially relevant. You are dust; and to dust, you shall return. We do come from the dust of the earth, and to this same soil we shall return. I have been present for the birth of my two children; I have likewise laid many persons in the ground or at final resting place. I’ve seen ‘em come and I’ve seen ‘em go. Ash Wednesday reminds me of my roots, and helps me prepare for a future in God. I know this for certain; details however remain a little vague. Ash Wednesday is the great leveler, no matter what happens to us and through us in life. All physical life comes to en end, sometimes suddenly, sometimes slowly, sometimes like “a thief in the night? Death is not the end; we are mortal; through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead we shall all be raised. Our legacy remains as innovation dissolves. Time loses its grip. Dear friends in Christ, every year at the time of the Christian Passover we celebrate our redemption through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes, an ancient sign, speaking of the frailty and uncertainty of human life, and marking the penitence of the community as a whole. I have titled this year’s observance Truth Telling. Ash Wednesday, and the Season of Lent itself, help us discover and tell the truth about ourselves, about our community which we engage through our relationships. Lent and Ash Wednesday remind us of who we are and whose we are by the grace and mercy of God. While sometimes disturbing, such discovery is actually Good News, because it is truthful. As one of my collegial musicians used to say: “No more fuddle-duddle.” Lent is an introspective season. If we shoulder the Lenten disciplines of self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God we will find our time has been well spent. Lent is the season where we jump off life’s merry-go-round, even for a time, not necessarily a good time, but so that time (which is precious) will be well spent. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. — From Psalm 51 For those who wish it, my colleague, the Rev. Anne Ellis, will draw an ashen cross on our forehead. There are a number of occasions in which Anglicans and others mark each other—branded like cattle if you will— as followers of Jesus. Newborn and adult candidates for baptism are marked with the sign of the cross using holy oil. Near or at the time of death the oil of unction marks the departing Christian soul. In ministries of healing oil blessed by a bishop is imposed; and finally, on Ash Wednesday, the ashen residue of last year’s palm crosses are inscribed on the forehead for those who desire it. We will not celebrate Holy Eucharist this year though another service in Penticton will offer Eucharistic ministry at the same time as ours. This year in Summerland we are combining the style and mood of the weekly Summerland United Church contemplative prayer service with Anglican practice. We will listen to a variety of beautiful music including a composition by the late Robert Willis, former dean of Canterbury Cathedral in the UK. The music and text are for me personal favourites. In a world where people walk in darkness Let us turn our faces to the light, to the light of God revealed in Jesus, to the Daystar scattering our night. For the light is stronger than the darkness And the day will overcome the night. Though the shadows linger all around us, Let us turn our faces to the light. As the shadows linger, the light can still be seen. The light will never be extinguished, but wow, the two do wrestle sometimes. Just look around,  right now. Our service will conclude with a famous Anglican prayer set to music by Richard Farrant (1525-1580) Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives. To decline from sin and incline to virtue, that we may walk in a perfect heart before thee, now and evermore. —Book of Common Prayer All are welcome to join us this coming Wednesday. Now and at all times, blessings as you go . . Wednesday, March 5 at 10 a.m. St. Stephen Anglican Church 9311 Prairie Road at Rosedale in Summerland Abundant parking — Accessible facility Ken Gray, officiating — Anne Ellis, assisting

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